Wilde Creatures Is The Perfect Show For Kids With Wild Imaginations

By: Alex Harmon, ellaslist

Oscar Wilde is famous for his belief that no one is ever as they seem on the surface. His children's stories are no exception and this clever production based on his fairytales will have your children second guessing every character as they take to the stage to put their case forward to become the new town statue. Will it be the pompous Mayor, the snobbish Princess or the lovesick Student? You, the audience will decide! 

My 8 year old niece was enthralled by the production which uses four actors to play various different roles ("how do they remember all their words!"), clever staging ("I can't believe the crates turned into flower beds!"), singing, music and audience participation (my niece maintains she was picked out as the most beautiful woman in the audience but I swear it was me...).

While the play is for kids, the adults will love the subtle satire and political jibes. The narrator asks, "imagine a town run by an idiot?!" to an amused audience. 

The messages are poignant and stand the test of time, with themes of unrequited love, superficial beauty, selfishness in friendship and although it is at times dark (it is Wilde after all), the overriding messages of transformation are uplifting.

Imaginative children will unravel these themes over time, which is the essence of good theatre, it stays with you for a long time. If only us adults had the indulgence to question and philosophise over the little things. As Oscar Wilde once said, "I am not young enough to know everything."

This play reminds me of how wonderful it is to be a kid... and for 60 minutes I was able to look at the world through the eyes of an 8 year old. 

The Details

Wilde Creatures is showing at the Sydney Opera House from 7 July – 14 July. Then Riverside Theatre from 19-21 July.
Ages: 5+
Tickets: $25-$35
For more details see the website.

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